Golf fund-raiser a runaway success

Stewart Davidson with the footballs signed by the Rangers and Forfar Athletic teams.

Published:08:00Wednesday 19 March 2014

A Forfar man who has organised a golf tournament in memory of his late wife this week said the event has received a “superb” response.

Stewart Davidson had aimed to raise £1,000 for Forfar charity Lippen Care from the event, which includes an auction and golfers’ raffle, but has already exceeded that with tournament entries alone.

He has also put up a trophy for the competition, the Lorna Davidson Memorial Cup, which he hopes could go on to become an annual fixture.

The tri-am tournament, which will be held next Sunday, March 30, at Brechin Golf Club has attracted entries from as wide a field as Dundee and Aberdeenshire.

Mr Davidson said: “I lost my wife last year to pancreatic cancer and she was in Strathmore Hospice under Lippen Care. They were so nice to her, me and the family that I decided I wanted to do something for them and began planning this in October.

“It’s been superb, and if I could have had it over three days I’d have had enough teams for three days and I’ve 24 teams lined up.

“I’d aimed to raise £1,000 but I’ve already got £1,400 just from the golf, which is remarkable. It’s amazing how people remember Lorna and it’s nice for that to happen.”

Mr Davidson also said the event has been well supported by local businesses which have donated raffle prizes and auction lots.

He continued: “We’ve lots of vouchers and prizes, including a television. Rangers Football Club have given us a certified ball signed by the new league-winning team and Forfar Athletic have also donated a ball signed by the players. The first prize for the tournament is a round of golf at Carnoustie with the course professional.”

Mr Davidson added that he now hopes to raise between £2,000 and £3,000.

He said: “I just didn’t expect it to be as big as this when I started.”